Complete Noob needs any and all help with first arcade machine

[alexasb04]

 
Hi everyone. I have just recently obtained a strong desire to build my own arcade machine after coming in possession of two broken machines (mortal kombat 2 and Toki). I spent hours tinkering with these machines to no avail when I decided to gut the better of the two cabinets and build my own machine. That's when things became difficult.
     I know a good amount about computer hardware and I have all the buttons and wires I need from the old machines, plus I have ordered the ipac2. I also have used emulators in the past and learned a bit about MAMEUI recently. This is where I am stuck. I have no idea how frontends work nor do I know how to run DOS. I basically want to be able to turn on the machine and be greeted with a menu screen with a list of arcade games which I can navigate with the joystick (no mouse or keyboard) If at all possible, I would like to also be able to play other emulators on the machine, but that is not priority for my first machine. I have heard a little bit about MaLa, but I dont know where to begin.
    Basically any advice would be great or any references to helpful web pages would also be appreciated. thanks everyone.

[BASS!]

If you are just getting started, just read through the wiki. Thats how we all got started. You are going to need to do many things, but why not read through, and when you are ready, and need something that is not allready outlined there, let us know. Good luck!

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Main_Page

[odysseyroc]

the wiki and the mala subforum are your friends. I've never used windows in my life and I was able to set up a friend's computer with the info on this site.

[bigredsk10]

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Mala_SetupEmulators

At the bottom of that page is a .doc called "Emulator installation and configuration plus Visual Pinball by UncleT". I used that as basically a user's manual for setting up mala. It really helped a ton (thanks to the author by the way!).

[Trebeck]

if you want a simple front end try out Maximus Arcade.  It's been great to me.

[DeLuSioNal29]

IMHO the easiest way is to download the MAME32 (command line version) of MAME (since you don't need the MAMEUI version since you will be using a front end) and then download Maximus Arcade (frontend).  It's one of the easiest to use since it's all point and click for setting up.

Just make sure your version of MAME matches your version of ROMS.

~ DeLuSioNaL

[BASS!]

Man when I think back to when I first picked up this hobby, I probably spent a good 3 months of reading various sites about emulation. I didn't even think to just jump on here.

[polaris]

IMHO the easiest way is to download the MAME32 (command line version) of MAME (since you don't need the MAMEUI version since you will be using a front end) and then download Maximus Arcade (frontend).  It's one of the easiest to use since it's all point and click for setting up.

Just make sure your version of MAME matches your version of ROMS.

~ DeLuSioNaL

i thought mame32 and mameui were the same thing.
 at least if using a front end i thought you didn't want mame32 just mame

[DeLuSioNal29]

From what I understand, the original MAME (command line) is for DOS.  MAME32 is the same thing except in runs in Windows instead of DOS.  MAMEUI is a modified MAME32 that adds a User Interface (hence the UI).

Can anyone concur?

~ D

[polaris]

From what I understand, the original MAME (command line) is for DOS.  MAME32 is the same thing except in runs in Windows instead of DOS.  MAMEUI is a modified MAME32 that adds a User Interface (hence the UI).

Can anyone concur?

~ D

im almost sure mameui is the new version of mame32, mame32 has a user interface/front end   

[fronty]

.

[alexasb04]

Thanks to everyone who has given their input. I guess the best question I could ask is where can i get the most comprehensible directions for using DOS. I have used windows my whole life, and the concept of configuring an OS I have never used is overwhelming. I just want my arcade machine to be simple enough that anyone who wants to use it will be able to with no prior knowledge.

[javeryh]

Thanks to everyone who has given their input. I guess the best question I could ask is where can i get the most comprehensible directions for using DOS. I have used windows my whole life, and the concept of configuring an OS I have never used is overwhelming. I just want my arcade machine to be simple enough that anyone who wants to use it will be able to with no prior knowledge.

Why would you want to learn DOS?  I have Windows XP on my cabs, you press the power button, the computer, marquee light, speakers and monitor come on, it boots straight to MaLa (my front end) and you just select a game with the joystick and press the player 1 start button to play it.  It couldn't be easier and no one ever asks me any questions when they come over to play.  When I'm done playing I just press the power button and everything shuts off.  You can check it out here: 



I'm practically brain dead when it comes to computers but I read and read and read and then asked questions and read some more and I eventually figured it out.  If I can do it ANYONE can.   

[garnerb350]

if you want a simple front end try out Maximus Arcade.  It's been great to me.

Alexasb04,

I agree with Trebeck....Maximus Arcade to me is a great and simple front end. I'm new to this also and I know nothing about understanding DOS...I also wanted the same as "powering up the computer and a list of games come up and pick and play..." I looked and tried different frontenders and to me, Maximus was the most user friendly and the bells and whistles look nice. Gameex is also good, ( i tried that prior)...but Maximus blew me away...

[AndyWarne]

DOS is not a good choice on modern hardware. Modern motherboards run very poorly with DOS as the hardware is designed around Windows drivers. There is no acceleration available on video cards, no D3D, stretching etc.
Many sound chips dont have DOS drivers at all these days.
It pains me to say it having been brought up on DOS from day one of the IBM PC but its not viable any more.
Andy

[Ummon]

Yes, it was mame32 originally, then became UI with 32 and 64 as distinctions.  Mame has always been Win-based. Others wanted a dos variant, hence, DMame.